Have you ever watched your hamster run frantically in its wheel or around its cage? If so, you've seen that they can reach astonishing speeds when they need to. So, how fast can a hamster run?
A hamster can run up to 10 km/hthe Syrian hamster being the hamster champion in the discipline.
How fast can a hamster run?
If you have to answer simply and straightforwardly, a hamster's speed is generally between 5 and 10 kilometers per hour. And don't underestimate the smallest of the bunch, like the dwarf hamsters and the Syrian hamsters. They can do it too!
In fact, you might be surprised to learn that Syrian hamsters are the true track stars of all hamster species.
Of course, not all hamsters run at exactly the same speed - and that's what makes them so charming, isn't it? Every hamster is unique!
The hamster, aka Speedy Gonzales
We mentioned the Syrian hamster earlier, this rodent athlete who, thanks to the size of his limbs, is crowned as the fastest hamster. With legs larger than those of a dwarf hamsterThe Syrian hamster can cover a greater distance in less time than its smaller cousin. But make no mistake, the dwarf hamster may be smaller, but it's still extremely agile, even if it has to rest a little more between sprints.
Make no mistake, hamsters haven't been living in cages since the dawn of time. They're equipped with everything they need to dodge, hide and evade predators - so, in reality, hamsters are more agile than they are swift.
By the way, why do hamsters run?
Simply put, hamsters run for two main reasons. Before we explain, here's a hilarious video:
Fear of predators
The first reason for their frantic race (and it's a real effort for these little creatures) is predator pressure. By "predator pressure", we mean that hamsters weren't always domestic pets. They had to survive in state wildand their running is pure survival instinct.
So if you wake up one night because your hamster has decided to go for a night jog on its wheel, it's because, somewhere in their instincts, they feel the need to do so.
Unfortunately, hamsters are prey animals, which means that when they lived in the wild, they were rather vulnerable. Consequently, they had to develop fast reaction times and be able to sense when they were in danger, so they knew when to take to their heels.
Notice how your hamster pauses when using its wheel! And why is that? Because in the wild, they would have had to pause to determine where their predator was hiding, which in turn would have given them time to calculate their next move.
Their territory
The second reason hamsters run has to do with territory. Before they were your favorite pet, they were used to being territorial seekers. food in the wild. They had to find a safe habitat, not too far from a food source, and close to other hamsters to be able to reproduce.
Of course, different hamsters require different amounts of space to live happily. This is something we see clearly in the different sizes of cages we buy for our pets. So, even though these creatures are rather small, they really can cover a lot of ground when they need to.
Hamsters are very active creatures, working hard to collect food and store it so that it lasts them a long time. Of course, your domestic hamster doesn't need to do this, but you might notice that he hides food under his straw, a little reserve for a rainy day.
Give him everything he needs to run!
Clearly, your hamster is full of energy. So it's crucial, if you have one, to make sure its cage is well equipped. The aim is to keep him busy and allow him to release all that energy (positive, of course).
A hamster wheel is a classic. There are also many chew toys for hamsters. These are excellent for their teeth and provide great entertainment. They allow the hamster to play while being stimulated.
When cleaning the cage, a hamster ball is essential. It allows your hamster to run around and expend its energy. What's more, it makes it easier for him to find his way around, giving him total freedom of movement. The ball is a must!
In conclusion, a word of advice: if you take your hamster out of its cage, don't let it out of your sight. Because, let's be honest, he could be hard to catch!